Amusement device



Oct. 10,1939. w. J. ROGERS AMUSEMENT DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 19:52

3 v MGR E WILL/AM J. ROGERS ATTO R N EYS Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in amusement devices and more especially to amuse-, ment devices of the type comprising a plurality of dice, a game board and a shaking box to re- 5, ceive said dice prior to throwing the same on the game board.

It is among the more important objects of the present invention to provide a novel amusement device comprising a game board; a plurality of 10, dice, and a shaking box for said dice, said shaking box including a timing device formed integral therewith and actuated by inversion of the box to discharge the dice therefrom.

It is another object of the present invention lg to provide a novel amusement device of the type described, including a shaking box for dice having a built-in timing device actuable by inversion of said box, which shall provide an audible signal indicating termination of a predetermined time m interval.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an amusement device comprising a plurality of dice, certain of said dice having numerals thereon, other of said dice having letters on 25 faces thereof and a shaking box for said dice including a timing mechanism operable by inversion of said box, whereby said dice can be thrown upon said game board and arranged to spell words having a number of letters corresponding to 30 numerals exposed on faces of certain of said dice.

One of the features of the novel dice-shaking box according to the invention, hereabove referred to, is that it is well suited to the requirements of mass production, that is to say, is formed of comparatively few parts, all of which can be easily fabricated from material commonly available and assembled to form the product without necessity of employment of skilled labor.

Among the advantages of the novel timing de- 40 vice according to the present invention, are its simplicity and ruggedness of construction, whereby it is well adapted to withstand continuous and hard usage without damage or appreciable wear.

Other objects, advantages and features of the 45 device according to the present invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art during the course of the following description.

Regarded in certain of its broader aspects, the present invention comprises a game board, a plu- 50 rality of dice, certain of said dice having letters on faces thereof, other of said dice having numerals on faces thereof, a shaking box for said dice, open at one end and closed at the other end, and

a timing mechanism associated with and carried 55 by said shaking box for indicating expiration of a predetermined time interval subsequent to inversion of said shaking box.

In order to facilitate a fuller and more complete understanding of the present invention, a specific embodiment thereof will be hereinafter described, it being clearly understood, however, that the illustrated embodiment is given solely by example and is non-limitative.

Referring then to the drawings:

Figure l is a top plan View of a presently preferred type of scoreboard according to the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are substantially perspective views of certain of the dice according to the now preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is substantially a top plan view of the now preferred embodiment of the die-shaking box according to the present invention, with a partition shown in place within the box.

Figure 5 is substantially a vertical sectional View of Figure 4 taken along the line 5-5 there- Figure 6 is substantially a horizontal sectional view of Figure 5 taken along the line 6-6 there- Figure 7 is substantially a vertical sectional view of a modified or alternative form of diceshajking box according tothe present invention, an

Figure 8 is substantially a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of Figure 7 taken along the line 88 thereof.

Referring now especially to Figure 1, wherein the game board according to the present invention is illustrated, it will be noted that the board, generally designated by the numeral [0, is substantially rectangular in outline and is provided with a series of visibly distinguishable areas ll, preferably substantially circular in outline, located near the edges of said board and adapted to facilitate keeping score of the several players.

A central area l2 likewise Visually distinct from the remainder of the board is provided to receive the dice and it is upon this area that playing of the game takes place.

Referring now especially to Figures 2 and 3, wherein certain of the dice useful in playing the game according to the present invention are illustrated, it will be noted that the dice are substantially cubical in shape and are provided with indicia on faces thereof, indicia on the die I3, i1- lustrated in Figure 2, comprising numerals and the indicia on the die l4, illustrated in Figure 3, comprising letters.

In the preferred form of the instant invention,

the die l3, illustrated in Figure 2, is provided with numerals 1 and 2 on the faces thereof and only one of these dice is included in the set. Other dice, four in number and distinctively colored, are provided with numerical indicia on the faces thereof, including the numerals 3 to '7 inclusive. Four dice, distinctively colored and corresponding in colors to the last mentioned group of dice, similar to the die M of Figure 3, are provided with indicia on the faces thereof corresponding to the letters of the alphabet.

Referring now especially to Figures 4, 5 and 6, it will be noted that the novel die-shaking box generally designated by the numeral l9, comprises an essentially cylindrical casing 20, open at one end 2| and closed at the other end 22.

It is preferred that the casing be formed of relatively hard and durable but light material, such as for example, molded synthetic resin. The timing mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 25, comprises a helically shaped tube 26, preferably having an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the cylindrical casing 23. The ends of the helical tube are bent inwardly and communicate with an essentially upright tube 21, whereby a continuous tubular passageway is provided. A weighted essentially spherical body 28 positioned within the continuous passageway defined by the tubes 26 and 21, is adapted to freely roll through said passage when the box is inverted. When the box is positioned with the open end 2! facing upwardly, the spherical body 28 is positioned in the locality defined by the numeral 29, inasmuch as inversion of the box causes said body to travel through the tube 2 A spring 39 mounted in the side of the tube and having the end projecting inwardly into the interior of the tube is arranged to prevent travel of the spherical body through the passage 3| when the box is positioned with the opened end 25 facing downwardly.

It will be apparent then that the body 28 will travel through the helically shaped tubular passageway 26 when the box is positioned with the open end 2! facing downwardly until said body reaches the locality of the tube designated by the numerical 33, at which time it engages with a spring pressed reed 34 mounted in the wall of the tube and having an end portion projecting inwardly into the interior of the tube, whereby said reed produces an audible signal. It is to be noted that the reed 34 also serves to prevent return of the body 23 to the locality 33 of the tubular passageway. When the box i9 is turned to position the open end 2! on top, the body 23 passes through the channel 2'! and the cycle can be subsequently repeated.

It is preferred, in playing one of the games according to the present invention, that a partition 31 be provided, fitted in the interior of the casing 28 and abutting against portions of the helically shaped tubular passageway, substantially as shown in Figure 4 (partition being omitted from Figures 5 and 6 to facilitate clearness of illustration) An alternative or modified form of die-shaking box is illustrated in Figures '7 and 8, wherein a casing Q3, which can be rectangular in cross sectional outline, is provided with an open end 4| and a closed end 42, substantially as shown. One side of the casing 30 has a circuitous sinuous continuous passage formed therein, generally designated by the numeral 43, said passage being provided with audible signalling means consisting of a spring pressed hammer i t positioned within a portion of said passageway and adapted to strike a gong 45 when actuated by engagement with a spherically weighted body 46, said spherical body being adapted to freely roll within said passageway.

It will be noted that the passageway 43 includes a sinuous and indirect channel 48 and a direct channel 49, said channels communicating at ends thereof, whereby a continuous passage is defined. It is preferred in fabricating the die-shaking box according to this embodiment of the instant invention, that the wall of the casing 40, wherein the sinuous channel is formed, be made in cooperating portions Mia and 43b, substantially as shown in Figure 8.

It is also to be observed that the spring pressed hammer 5.4 serves to preclude movement of the spherical body 46 from the channel 49 to the channel 48 but does not inhibit movement of said body from the channel 43 to the channel 49.

In order to facilitate a more complete understanding of the novel amusement device according to the present invention, certain typical and representative types of games which can be played with the hereinabove described equipment, will now be explained, but it is to be understood that the games to be described are given more by way of suggestion than by way of limitation, inasmuch as other games utilizing the equipment according to the present invention, will suggest themselves to persons using the same.

A first type of game utilizes eleven dice similar in color and having the faces thereof provided with indicia comprising letters of the alphabet substantially similar to the die 14 illustrated in Figure 3. Another die distinctively colored from the dice having letters on the faces thereof, is provided with numerals 1 and 2 on the faces thereof, similar to the die I3 illustrated in Figure 2.

These twelve dice are placed in the shaking box which is positioned with its open end facing upwardly and the box shaken, whereby the dice are co-mingled and turned, exposing different faces thereof. The shaking box is then inverted upon the central area [2 of the game board I 0, raised to free itself from the dice and rested on the game board with the closed end portion of said shaking box positioned on top. The player then attempts to build words using the letters on the top exposed faces of the dice. The exposed numerals (which is one or two, as the case may be) permits the player to select one or two letters from the alphabet to complete a word, the other letters of which are exposed on the top faces of the dice. It will be noted that the timing mechanism incorporated in the shaking box will be functioning during this interval and when the audible signal of said timing device indicates expiration of a predetermined time interval, the player is obliged to discontinue his attempts to build a word as aforesaid.

A suggested scoring system would be to allow the player a predetermined number of points of each letter of the word or words which he selected. The die-shaking box is then inverted, whereby the open end thereof is positioned facing upwardly and the dice returned to the box and the process repeated, each player, in succession, making an attempt to build a word or words and the process repeated as the players may desire.

It will of course be understood, that a higher score can be awarded a player who utilizes all the letters (using the numeral as aforesaid) in spelling the selected word or Words within the time interval determined by the timing mechanism as hereinbefore referred to.

A second type of game which may be played with the equipment hereinabove described, would utilize eight dice, said dice including four pairs similarly colored, one die of each pair having numerals on the faces thereof ranging from 3 to 7 inclusive, and the other die of each pair having letters of 'thealphabet on the faces thereof. In this game, it is preferred to use a partitionin the die-shaking box, preferably a part1 tion similar to the partition 31 illustrated in Figure 4. The dice of similar color are placed in the same'compartment of the shaking box and the box shaken to roll-or turn the dice. The box is then inverted from position with open end facing upwardly to position'with closed end facing upwardly, raised and moved away from the dice and rested upon the surface of the game board.

The object of the game is for the player to suggest a word having an initial letter corresponding to the exposed letter and having a total number of letters equal numerically to the exposed numeral. A suggested scoring system for this game might include awarding a player a number of points having relationship to the number of letters in the Words selected or having relationship to the sequence in which the players announce the words they have selected as fulfilling the requirements hereinbefore referred to.

It will of course be understood, that the timing mechanism will be functioning during such time as the player is selecting words and that when the audible signal and the timing mechanism indicates expiration of the predetermined time interval, further suggestion of the words by the player is precluded.

It is to be understood that this improvement is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawings nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes in modifications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a shaking box for dice, open at one end and closed at the other end, the improvement which comprises timing means mounted on and forming part of said box, said timing means comprising an essentially continuous tubular member having a normally vertically extending circuitous passage and a normally vertically extending straight portion defining a direct passage communicating with the ends of said. circuitous passage, an essentially spherical Weighted body adapted to roll in said tubular member, and an audible signalling means for indicating passage of said spherical body from said circuitous passage to said relatively straight portion of said tubular member nearest the open end of said 7 box, and signalling means being directly mechanically operated by motion of said body.

2. In a shaking box for dice, open at one end and closed at the other end, the improvement which comprises timing means mounted on and forming part of said box, said timing means comprising an essentially continuous tubular member having a normally vertically extending circuitous passage and a normally vertically extending straight portion defining a direct passage communicating with the ends of said circuitous' passage, an essentially spherically weighted body adapted to roll in said tubular member, and an audible signalling means for indicating passage of said spherical body from said circuitous passage to said relatively straight portion of said tubular member nearest the open end of said box, comprising a spring pressed hammer and cooperating bell, actuable by said move ment of said body, mounted on and partially projecting into the interior of said tubular member.

3. In a substantially cylindrical shaking box for dice, open at one end and closed at the other end, the improvement which comprises timing means mounted on and forming a part of said box, said timing means comprising an essentially continuous tubular member having a normally vertically extending substantially helically shaped portion defining a circuitous passage and a normally vertically extending relatively straight portion defining a direct passage communicating with the ends of said helically shaped portion, said helically shaped portion of said member being substantially equal in outside diameter to the inside diameter of said box whereby said member can be received in and frictionally engage with the interior of said box, an essentially spherical weighted body adapted to roll in said tubular member, and an audible signalling means for indicating passage of said spherical body from said helically shaped to said relatively straight por-- tion of said tubular member nearest the open end of said box.

4. In a substantially cylindrical shaking box for dice, open at one end and closed at the other end, the improvement which comprises timing means mounted on and forming a part of said box, said timing means comprising an essentially continuous tubular member having a normally vertically extending substantially helically shaped portion defining a circuitous passage and a normally vertically extending relatively straight portion defining a direct passage communicating with the ends of said helically shaped portion, said helically shaped portion of said member being substantially equal in outside diameter to the inside diameter of said box whereby said member can be received in and frictionally engage with the interior of said box, an essentially spherical weighted body adapted to roll in said tubular member, and an audible signalling means for indicating passage of said spherical body from said helically shaped to said relatively straight portion of said tubular member nearest the open end of said box, comprising a spring pressed reed actuable by said movement of said body, mounted on and partially projecting into the interior of said tubular member.

5. In a substantially cylindrical shaking box for dice, open at one end and closed at the other end, the improvement which comprises timing means mounted on and forming a part of said box, said timing means comprising an essentially continuous tubular member having a normally vertically extending substantially helically shaped portion defining a circuitous passage and a normally vertically extending relatively straight portion defining a direct passage communication with the ends of said helically shaped portion, said helically shaped portion of said member being substantially equal in outside diameter to the inside diameter of said box whereby said member can be received in and frictionally engage with the interior of said box, an essentially spherical weighted body adapted to roll in said tubular member, means for inhibiting rolling of said spherical body from said relatively straight to said helically shaped portion of said tubular member nearest the closed end of said box, and an audible signalling means for indicating passage of said spherical body from said helically shaped to said relatively straight portion of said tubular member nearest the open end of said box.

6. In a substantially cylindrical shaking box for dice, open at one end and closed at the other end, the improvement which comprises timing means mounted on and forming a part of said box, said timing means comprising an essentially continuous tubular member having a normally vertically extending substantially helically shaped portion defining a circuitous passage and a normally vertically extending relatively straight portion defining a direct passage communicating with the ends of said helically shaped portion, said helically shaped portion of said member being substantially equal in outside diameter to the inside diameter of said box whereby said member can be received in and frictionally engage with the interior of said box, an essentially spherical weighted body adapted to roll in said tubular member, means for inhibiting rolling of said spherical body from said relatively straight to said helically shaped portion of said tubular member nearest the closed end of said box comprising a spring pressed catch mounted on said member and partially projecting into the interior thereof, and an audible signalling means for indicating passage of said spherical body from said helically shaped to said relatively straight portion of said tubular member nearest the open end of said box, comprising a spring pressed reed actuable by said movement of said body, mounted on and partially projecting into the interior of said tubular member. 

